Resume and Cover Letter Writing

FIELD PREPARATION WEEK 6

The Cover Letter Include your contact

information Make sure to include the

address of the place you are applying to

Name the position your applying to

If you cannot address a specific person, write: TO THE ATTENTION OF THE HIRING MANAGER

Keep everything on one side (left is common)

Tips: Include that you go to Sheridan and

the program you are in Make sure you alter the cover letter to

the agency you are applying to The purpose is to let them know that

your interested, and that they need you.

Mention that your resume is attached

First Paragraph Example:

As a first year student at Sheridan College enrolled in the Social Service Worker Diploma Program, I am interested in the (state position here) at (insert agency name here). I became immediately attracted to (agency name) when searching for a practicum and personally feel that I would benefit your organization if I gained a practicum at (agency name). I am eager to apply for this position and my resume is attached for you to view at your leisure.

Tips Highlight your qualifications for the position What you can do for them, not why you

want the job. Things that relate to the place you are

applying to You can have this in sentence or point form A minimum of 3 points/sentences, max of 5 Essentially, they are some of the

“Summary of Qualifications” on your resume

Second paragraph example:

My qualifications and skills as they relate to this position include:• Volunteer experience in the Social

Service Worker field, including a non-profit organization

• Leadership, communication and presentation skills obtained through leadership courses, and the volunteer work of Student Council

• Technical skills such as Microsoft Office, Prezi and Smart Serve certification, along with speaking English and Spanish

Tips: You can combine this into the

final paragraph or separate it Explain to the agency how

the practicum program runs at Sheridan

Make sure to include the year, number of hours, and what days of the week you would be working for them

3 sentences max

Paragraph example:

Sheridan’s practicum program runs between September 2016 and April 2017 for second year students. They must complete a total of 600 hours with the practicum agency, and this will occur every week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, for a total of 21 hours per week.

Tips: Reinforce your confidence and

that they need you based on your qualifications

Mention that you look forward to an interview at whatever time is best for them

Tell them your contact info Say thank you and sign off. No more than 1 page

Sample Final ParagraphI ask you kindly to take me into consideration as I feel that working at (agency name) would improve my learning in the Social Service Worker field and would benefit (agency name) based on my qualifications. Once again, attached is my resume for your consideration. I look forward to an interview with you whenever timing is suitable. Please feel free to contact me anytime at: (647) 465-1238 or via e-mail at contreas@sheridancollege.ca.

Thank you.Regards, Ashley Contreras Munro

The Resume• Include Name, address,

phone number, Sheridan e-mail and linked in URL all in the top

• Objective: make sure you put the position name and the agency name in the objective

• THERE IS NO OBJECTIVE IN A REAL JOB, ONLY A PRACTICUM

Summary of QualificationsExample: Currently enrolled in Social Service Worker

Diploma Program at Sheridan College (graduating April 2017)

Excellent organizational and communication skills

Obtained leadership skills through volunteer experience such as Student Council and Leadership courses.

Works well independently and with groups. Languages: English, Spanish (speaks only) Technical Skills: Microsoft Office, Prezi, Smart

Serve Certificate

• The agency will look at your resume for 30 seconds, if they do not like what they see in your summary, they will not move forward

• Include that your in school and if you have honours

• List your soft skills (organization, communications, etc.)

• Languages you speak if you speak more than English

• Technical skills can include computer related items, certifications like CPR, first aid, etc.

Educational Experience

Educational Experience

Include the relevant project work in the following steps: - Challenge: what was the purpose of the assignment? What did you have to do?- Action: what steps needed to be taken for you or your group in

order to complete this assignment- Results: what did you get out of this assignment (skills such as

communication, writing skills, presentation skills). You can also include the grade if it is over 80% but it is not necessary.

Employment/ Volunteer Experience Do not add high school because you are in college; you have to

finish high school to get into any program Make sure to add as many jobs you have had after 2012. If you had different roles at the same job, it can be included Add results to your duties, for example: Stocking shelves to

ensure that the customer receives what they aim to purchase, resulting in higher sale profits for the company.

Use past tense if you no longer work there

Employment

Volunteer Experience

Linked-in Go to linkedin.com and create your account. Its easy and free There is also an app you can download It’s purpose is to create a professional profile It’s better for employers to see a linked-in account than your

social media such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. Make sure all your social media is on private. Here is my linked in for an example https://

ca.linkedin.com/in/ashley-contreras-2579b3114

Any Questions?